WORKING WITH CANDIDA

Disclaimer: I am not a medical Doctor and do not prescribe or give medical advice. In the following article I am attempting to share information about how I (or others) have dealt with Candidiasis in a way we feel good about. As with any medical condition, always consult your doctor.

Candidiasis is an infection caused by the yeast-like fungus candida albicans. Many people are familiar with vaginal yeast infections, which is also caused by an overgrowth of candida albicans. Candida albicans is not a foreign invader; it is part of the body’s natural flora. It actually plays an important role in the biological balance of our systems. Candida’s primary role is the breakdown of food in the intestines to yield important nutrients and to help defend the body against pathogenic invaders. Candida is found on the skin and in the mucous membranes of the mouth, intestinal tract and vagina. Lactobacilus acidophilus (a friendly bacteria) usually keeps it in check, though sometimes Candida overmultiplies causing many problems such as thrush, bladder infections, vaginal yeast infections, irritable bowel syndrome and fungal infections. Candidiasis can also be a more serious disease in which candida grows out of control in the body. This can cause a myriad of symptoms including food allergies, headache, lethargy, depression, lack of concentration, eyesight & hearing degeneration, irregularities in menstruation, fluid retention, blood sugar imbalances, thyroid imbalances, insomnia, irritability, arthritic conditions, fibromyalgia and much more!

I want to pause here and point out to you that just because you have one or more of these symptoms, you should not automatically assume that you have candida. There are many different reasons for imbalance to occur in one’s body, candida is just one cause of many illnesses.

It is theorized that candida’s wide-ranging effects in the body are due to toxins being released by the fungi that travel throughout the bloodstream. These toxins in turn upset the body’s chemical balance, particularly affecting reactions involved in brain neurotransmissions. Candida also makes the intestinal walls more permeable to large protein molecules that normally wouldn’t pass into the blood. These foreign proteins then get attacked by the body’s antibodies, causing an allergic reaction.

Now that you know what candida is, I will let you know what causes an overgrowth of candida to occur. Chronic use of antibiotics, systemic broad spectrum antibiotics, birth control pills, steroids, pregnancy and overconsumption of sweets all can cause candida to proliferate in the body.

So how do you know if candida is waging a war in your body? There are questionnaires that you can take and there are blood tests, however I am not convinced of the accuracy of these tests. I start out by asking the following basic questions: Does your body react violently to tobacco smoke or perfumes? Do you have chronic bladder infections or chronic vaginal yeast infections? Are you extremely fatigued or lethargic most of the time even after a good nights sleep? Have you recently taken antibiotics and then started exhibiting symptoms? Do you crave sweets? Do you have a chronic case of skin fungus?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, the next step is to follow the treatment described below and if your symptoms start to slightly improve after two weeks , then continue with the treatment.

Many candida diets are too extreme and I have found that quite a few people are unable to follow through with them. The following diet is what I recommend to rid the body of overgrowth of candida, without causing psychological stress. The foods that have to be absolutely avoided are sweets of all kinds (this includes sugar, honey, maple syrup, fruits and fruit juices), simple carbohydrates (white flour products), alcoholic beverages (especially beer and wine) and moldy or aged cheeses. The foods to avoid as much as possible are coffee, leftovers, vinegars and soy sauces, peanuts, tempeh and mushrooms. Yeasted bread can be eaten in moderation as long as it is toasted first. Proteins, complex carbohydrates and lots of vegetables should comprise most of your diet. Stevia powder, which is a very sweet herb, can be used as a substitute for sweeteners. Remember to drink lots and lots of water! Most important is to keep a good attitude and not be too hard on yourself if you slip up sometimes.

I recommend the following supplements to help your body rid itself of candida overgrowth and to obtain good health:

Candida/Fungus Away (from Terra Firma Botanicals, contains herbs that are anti-fungal). Liv Eaze (from Terra Firma Botanicals, contains herbs for the liver) Acidophilus (make sure that it is an enterically coated capsule that has been refrigerated) Grapefruit Seed extract ( from Nutribiotics, can be obtained at a natural food store, get the tablets not the liquid) ( can cause stomach upset in some individuals- if this occurs, discontinue)

THE FIRST WEEK:
Take 2 capsules acidophilus on an empty stomach upon awakening.
Take 2 dropperfuls of the Candida Fungus Away twice a day on an empty stomach.
Take 1 tablet of grapefruit seed extract twice a day.

THE SECOND WEEK:
Take 2 capsules acidophilus on an empty stomach upon awakening.
Take 3 dropperfuls of the Candida Fungus Away twice a day on an empty stomach.
Take 2 tablets of grapefruit seed extract twice a day.

THE THIRD WEEK:
Take 2 capsules acidophilus on an empty stomach upon awakening.
Take 3 dropperfuls of the Candida Fungus Away 3 times a day on an empty stomach.
Take 2 tablets of grapefruit seed extract twice a day..

THE FOURTH WEEK THROUGH MONTH THREE
Take 2 capsules acidophilus on an empty stomach upon awakening.
Take 3 dropperfuls of the Candida Fungus Away 3 times a day on an empty stomach.
Take 2 tablets of grapefruit seed extract twice a day.
Take 2 dropperfuls of the Liv Eaze 2-3 times a day on an empty stomach.

In the first week it is very common to experience headaches. This is due to the die-off of the candida and is actually a very good sign that you are on the right track. Bear with the headaches, continue with the treatment and you will be well on your way to feeling much better. You may also notice that you are craving sweets and that it is very difficult to adhere to the diet. This is also due to the candida needing sweets to survive. It is very important to ignore these cravings and stay away from the sweets. Proteins will greatly help with the cravings. After three months it will be necessary to reassess your condition. It can take anywhere from three months to a year to fully rid yourself of the overgrowth. Once you feel that you are truly better, you can then taper off of the grapefruit seed extract and the Candida Fungus Away. Continue with the Liv Eaze for another two to three months at 2 dropperfuls two times a day and continue with the acidophilus indefinitely. Remember to drink eight to10 glasses of water a day, exercise and keep a positive outlook on life. Health can indeed be yours today!